Elite competitive cyclists or triathletes with no significant cardiac or respiratory health problems are invited to take part in a research study on recovery and the performance benefits of certain garments.

BACKGROUND

Recovery between competitions is a key to performance in multi-race events. The difference in performances between elite athletes is very small, so every potential advantage can make a key difference. Clothing that is designed to block electromagnetic radiation (such as radio waves, x-rays and microwaves) has been shown to decrease delayed onset muscle soreness after intense exercise. It therefore has the potential to enhance recovery over the medium term. The purpose of this study is to look at short term recovery between repeated simulated competitions to assess for a performance benefit of this type of garment.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY?

To participate, you must be a male category 1-2 cyclist (or equivalent) or a triathlete capable of performing a 40 km time trial in less than 60 minutes. You must be free of heart or respiratory disease, and must be a nonsmoker. You must between the ages of 19 and 40.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY?

The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a benefit of wearing a shielded garment in two repeated maximal cycling efforts separated by 3 hours.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THIS STUDY?

We will be able to provide you with information pertaining to your maximum power output, as well as heart rates at various workloads during exercise. We hope that the information learned from this study can be used in the future to benefit competitive athletes and exercisers hoping to improve their recovery from exercise. You will also receive an honorarium for your participation.

WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?

This study will take place in Dr. Koehle's Laboratory in the Wesbrook Building at the University of British Columbia.

Overview of the Study

You will be requested to come to the laboratory on three occasions. The first visit will consist of a maximal incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer (approximately 40 minutes). The remaining 2 days will consist of 2 time trials to exhaustion at 75% of your maximum power (achieved in day 1) separated by 3 hours of rest. During that rest time you wear either a shielded garment or a placebo garment. Whichever garment you did not wear on your first visit to the laboratory you will wear on the second visit. The order of placebo and shielded garment will be randomized. You will not know which garment you are wearing until after the study is complete.